[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods":3,"chapter-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-7":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","At the Summit of the Old Gods",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2362135,4618,"Chapter 7: Little Lamb (Second Update)","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-7",7,"\u003Cp>The next day, at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ughhh~” Lu Ran, seated cross-legged on his small bed, stretched out with full force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had not slept all night, continuously cultivating and absorbing divine power, trying to thicken the “mist” within his body, again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation of being nourished by divine power was simply too exquisite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran rose from bed, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply toward the altar beside the windowsill:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immortal Sheep, good morning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade carving of the Immortal Sheep inside the altar remained silent, ignoring the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t care; he headed straight for the bathroom and took a refreshing cold shower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Lu Ran greeted the deity again: “Immortal Sheep, I’m off to school!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yu Immortal Sheep: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Devotee Is a Chatterbox”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuxiang City was a small county town with only a hundred thousand residents. From Yuxiang Jiayuan Community to No. 1 High School, the distance was 2.5 kilometers—thirty minutes’ walk was more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, Lu Ran took much longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deliberately took a detour, arriving at a desolate area where he stood for a long while before an abandoned residential building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was where Lu Ran’s father had passed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, I’ve become a devotee of a deity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled: “Yu Fu didn’t choose me. Too bad—I was looking forward to calling you ‘senior brother.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a breeze blew, ruffling Lu Ran’s short hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a broad, warm hand gently ruffling his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s smile slowly faded. After a long silence, he whispered: “See you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he neared the campus, student figures grew more numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though everyone wore blue-and-white uniforms, Lu Ran’s face drew many curious glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, after yesterday’s deity-worship incident, Lu Ran had become a campus celebrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hurried across the playground, head down, and marched straight into the teaching building toward Class 4, Grade 11.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Classmate, want a fortune reading?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Ran reached the third floor, a tall girl blocked his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chang Ying?” Lu Ran recognized the girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the sports monitor of Class 1, tall and sturdy, wielding a massive axe with fierce momentum, having once ranked first in the entire year for martial arts—truly a prominent figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying was also the student who kicked off the deity-worship ceremony yesterday for her class and even the whole school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity she had invoked was the Fourth Row: Spirit Oracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“L-Lu Ran!” Chang Ying only then recognized him, stumbling over her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students usually felt uneasy when they saw Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps they thought of the terrifyingly beautiful demon—Yanzhi Ren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran chuckled: “You just became a Spirit Oracle devotee yesterday—already on the job today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe.” Chang Ying shook her old fortune-telling cylinder. “Come on, dear Lu classmate, just one reading?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Love, studies, luck—anything you want, guaranteed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran studied the “girl warrior” before him and said: “You’re clearly built for tanking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After becoming a Spirit Oracle devotee, are you going off-track?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, Chang Ying was truly unique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he saw her, Lu Ran felt like he was witnessing the wild, powerful, healthy beauty of women from a primitive matriarchal society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t I have two hands?” Chang Ying retorted. “One hand holds the oracle sticks, the other swings the axe!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I chop, I can even check their fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If their fate’s too harsh, I can just escape in time. Cough, cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying quickly changed the subject: “You faced the demon yesterday without flinching—you’re truly a role model for our generation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How about this: I’ll give you a 20% discount—eighty yuan per reading. Let’s be friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lu Ran walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eighty yuan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What joke is this? That’s enough for how many starch sausages?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You might as well just block the bathroom door and rob me—I’d hand over the cash more willingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying hurried after him: “Don’t go, Lu Ran!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one’s taken the bait all morning—cough, cough, I mean, I haven’t made a single sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying, bold as ever, stretched out her long arm and slung it around Lu Ran’s shoulder: “Fine, for good luck on my first day, I’ll give you a free reading!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just buy me a pack of spicy strips after class!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow~” Lu Ran couldn’t hold back—he burst out laughing. “Spicy strips are fine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on then!” Chang Ying grinned broadly and immediately shook her worn-out fortune cylinder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely, though the cylinder was empty, it emitted a “shush-shush” sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid a surge of energy, several illusory spirit slips floated into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way!” Lu Ran suddenly spoke up. “What kind of fortune are you reading for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Chang Ying flinched, and one spirit slip tumbled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nearly laughed in anger—what the hell are you even reading, you just shook it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The illusory spirit slip slowly rose, rotating gently—the scene was strangely wondrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no poems or annotations—only a single, simple character: Down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence became unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran pushed Chang Ying away irritably and walked toward Class 4.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Chang Ying’s weak voice called out: “Lu Ran, my spicy strips…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go play somewhere else!” Lu Ran didn’t turn back, stepping straight into his classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying felt awkward and shook her crude fortune cylinder again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was her first day on the job—she was still unskilled at scamming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well well, the groom’s here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with a sarcastic voice, another tall figure stepped forward and slung an arm around Lu Ran’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on today? Why is everyone suddenly grabbing my shoulder?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The face before him instantly ruined Lu Ran’s mood—Kou Yingquan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran frowned slightly; normally, the two didn’t get along and had zero physical contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan’s unusual behavior clearly meant he had something foul in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pretended to be slinging his arm around Lu Ran’s shoulder, but was actually choking him: “After going home yesterday, did you secretly consort with the demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid was young, but he sure knew how to throw accusations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’ll he be like when he enters the workplace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noisy classroom fell silent. All eyes turned toward the front podium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colluding with demons was an unforgivable crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classmates had studied together for nearly two years; none believed Lu Ran had turned to darkness. In fact, they all knew Kou Yingquan was just looking for trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one could deny that Lu Ran had summoned a demon onto the deity-worship platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More crucially, not a single divine being among the heavens had been willing to accept Lu Ran—leaving him stranded there to fend for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it was the most merciful and tolerant deity—the Immortal Sheep—who finally appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implications were deeply suggestive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan: “I’m asking you a question!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shot back: “Are you jealous of Yanzhi Ren? You’re into everything, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m nothing like you!” Kou Yingquan sneered. “I’m deeply devout to the deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I won’t worship demons, nor touch even a speck of them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran ignored him entirely and kept going: “You have the nerve to be jealous? Didn’t I introduce you two yesterday?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at your pathetic self—you plopped right on the ground. Even ghosts look down on you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trading insults,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s all about offense—no defense at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa!” Qian Hao, sitting in the front row, couldn’t help exclaiming, “That mouth of his—absolutely incredible~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut the hell up!” Kou Yingquan snapped, tightening his grip on Lu Ran’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday’s incident had cost him all his dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had shattered the strong, formidable image he’d cultivated among his classmates!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might also be one reason Kou Yingquan came looking for trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let go.” Lu Ran grabbed Kou Yingquan’s arm and spoke in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beg for mercy, aren’t you a disciple of Xiang Xianyang? Show me your best trick,” Kou Yingquan sneered. “Cry out a couple times—maybe I’ll let go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Both of you!” Jiang Ruyi, the class monitor in the fourth row, frowned. “Return to your seats. Begin morning self-study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the two still locked in place, Jiang Ruyi rose and walked to the podium, her expression unusually stern:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“School rules forbid private fights. Do you want to be expelled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.” Kou Yingquan finally loosened his grip and was shoved backward several steps by Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s gaze turned dark as he fixed his eyes on Kou Yingquan’s retreating, smug figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something’s off!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan’s behavior today was highly unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged at once, grabbed his throat—his aggression was far beyond normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go back to your seat,” Jiang Ruyi whispered, tugging lightly on Lu Ran’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.” Lu Ran murmured in reply, watching as Kou Yingquan returned to his seat—their gazes met again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan wore an arrogant expression, glancing coldly at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go back,” Jiang Ruyi said again, finally guiding Lu Ran back to the fourth row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he sat down than the boy behind him patted Lu Ran’s back: “You left right after offering to the god yesterday—you don’t know what happened after.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan offered to the Third-Rank God: Prisoner Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watch yourself—he’s biding his time to take you down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lu Ran suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s why this brat’s acting so bold today—he’s turned from a stray chicken into a phoenix?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might as well have written “superiority” across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third-Rank God: Prisoner Demon—truly formidable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This god’s rank even surpassed that of Yu Fu, the Third-Rank God Jiang Ruyi worshipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lu Ran’s mind surfaced a statue of a solemn man draped in a crimson robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foundational divine art of the Prisoner Demon sect is called Blood Robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devotees who wield this divine art can summon a phantom, flowing robe over their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This robe offers both offense and defense—its battlefield effectiveness is exceptional!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, divine arts also have ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said the highest-tier Blood Robe turns pure crimson, capable of withstanding all attacks in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Ran pondered silently, the classroom erupted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone had offered to their gods yesterday—how could they possibly keep quiet today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they chatted, the topic inevitably circled back to Lu Ran—his story was simply too bizarre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t figure it out—Lu Ran’s grades are so good, yet he ended up with Xiang Xianyang, the weakest god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Onstage, it was either Xiang Xianyang or Yanzhi people—he had no choice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reputation of Xiang Xianyang’s followers isn’t good at all—they’re practically Gongrende  soft targets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can you do? Xiang Xianyang is the weakest among all gods. They call it magnanimity, but it’s just weakness—too afraid to clash with other gods or compete for resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the god himself is like this, how can his followers be any tougher?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, do you think the gods rejected Lu Ran for a reason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan spoke up suddenly, his voice just loud enough: “I already said it—he disrespects the gods, lacks sincerity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides joining Xiang Xianyang’s sect and becoming a weak, easy-picked lamb, what else could he do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s face darkened, rising as if to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That mouth of yours truly deserves a beating!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You think joining the Prisoner Demon sect gives you a backer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You really think everyone’s afraid of you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi moved swiftly, gripping Lu Ran’s shoulder and rising to her feet, snapping:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you—shut up! Don’t talk nonsense! Take out your books. Begin self-study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classroom noise immediately quieted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s face remained stern; after scanning the entire class, she sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her usual gentleness made her discipline enforcement less effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just seconds later, whispers rose again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t say that—Lu Ran’s father was a Yu Fu devotee, and he died heroically. Lu Ran’s an honored descendant—how could he possibly disrespect the gods?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes,” Kou Yingquan sneered. “A rat’s son knows how to dig holes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school’s malice was always this naked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan never lowered his voice, scoffing: “Even now, the authorities haven’t released the full details of that night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If his son could summon a demon god, who knows what his father was really like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lu Ran’s rage flared instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan slandering him—he could calmly retort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Kou Yingquan insulted his deceased father—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran leapt up, grabbed his chair, and swung it violently backward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my!” Screams erupted through the classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden chair flew straight toward the back two rows, striking Kou Yingquan, who sat by the aisle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The solid wooden chair shattered into pieces upon hitting Kou Yingquan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Lu Ran had struck with terrifying force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan, instinctively raising his arm to block, was struck hard—pain burst from his body, and he cursed aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan never imagined—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Lu Ran, who’d summoned a demon god and deserved universal condemnation; this lamb who’d joined the lowest-ranked god, weak and easy to bully—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually dared to strike back?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth proved: this lamb dared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t just swing the chair—he charged forward with his whole body!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>20 points remain. One chapter left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2199,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6ef58122572e3c4bb42f2548a02db6209bae76e0547f9d659dded50e40be4fce","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-8","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-6",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]